Complete epigenome
American scientists have deciphered the human epigenomeCopper news
American scientists have managed to decipher the epigenome of human cells, reports Science Daily (What Drives Our Genes?
Researchers Map The First Complete Human Epigenome).
The study was conducted by a group of employees of the Genomic Analysis Laboratory at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies under the leadership of the director of the laboratory, Professor Joseph Ecker. A report on their work is published in the journal Nature.
The activity of genes is determined not only by their sequence in the DNA molecule, but also by other factors, for example, the spatial configuration of the double helix and its methylation. The term "epigenome" is used to denote all the factors that determine which of the genes that make up the genome are working and which are disabled.
The staff of the Genomic Analysis Laboratory focused on the study of DNA methylation. One of the authors of the study, Ryan Lister, has developed an effective method that allows not only to detect methyl groups in the DNA molecule, but also to draw up a diagram of their location in the genome under study.
Researchers have deciphered the epigenome of human embryonic stem cells and lung connective tissue cells (fibroblasts). It turned out that in the fibroblast genome, most methyl radicals were located next to cytosine. In the DNA of stem cells, about 25 percent of methylation occurred next to other elements of the double helix.
To confirm their findings, the researchers compared the epigenomes of embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells derived from fibroblasts. The percentage of methyl radicals that were not located in cytosine coincided in both groups of cells.
At the next stage of research, Ecker's group plans to study the influence of the epigenetic structure of DNA on cell development, as well as the formation of a number of diseases. In addition, scientists want to evaluate changes in the epigenome during aging, as well as under the influence of environmental factors.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru16.10.2009